Noise reduction earmuffs system and method

ABSTRACT

An earmuffs system for noise reduction including an external microphone used in combination with active noise cancellation technology for the reduction of wind or other noises typically experienced while riding a vehicle such as a motorcycle, snow machine or ATV, the earmuffs system including a first earmuff including a first speaker and a first microphone therein; a second earmuff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker and a second microphone therein; noise cancellation circuitry for receiving first sounds from the first microphone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker; a third microphone placed external to the first earmuff, the third microphone supplying second sounds for the first speaker to output as a second sound output without the second sounds undergoing noise cancellation processing; and a fourth microphone placed external to the second earmuff, the fourth microphone supplying third sounds for the second speaker to output as a third sound output without the third sounds undergoing noise cancellation processing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and relates and claimspriority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/186,734, filed on Nov.12, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,299,962 issued on May 28, 2019; which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/004,074, filed onJun. 8, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,786 issued on Dec. 11, 2018.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates generally to an earmuffs system and method, andmore particularly, to an earmuffs system including one or moremicrophones external to the earmuffs used in combination with activenoise cancellation technology for the reduction of wind and other noisestypically experienced while riding a vehicle such as a motorcycle, snowmachine, ATV, etc.

BACKGROUND

Users of vehicles such as motorcycles, snow machines, ATVs, etc., oftenwear helmets for protection. For convenience, reference is made hereinprimarily to motorcycle riders and helmets only; however, the inventionis not so limited.

Even with helmet use, a problem remains in that motorcycle ridersexperience excessive wind noise. Wind noise occurs when wind hits asolid surface. The surface vibrates, and the vibrations are picked up bythe eardrums as noise. The ears can safely endure noise levels of 0 dBto 80 dB. However, the wind noise level in most motorcycle helmets canaverage between 95 dB and 105 dB or more, depending upon the speed oftravel of the motorcycle.

Exposure to wind noise can lead to permanent hearing loss. Wind noisealso tends to fatigue a rider. Wind noise also interferes withcommunications systems used by riders.

Numerous attempts have been made to filter or reduce wind noise formotorcycle riders. Aerodynamic helmets that allow the wind to pass moreeasily over them have been used. The use of earplugs also has beentried. However, filtering wind noise tends to muffle out importantsounds like communications, sirens from emergency vehicles, enginenoises, vehicle horns, etc.

Thus, there remains a need for a system and method to provide improvedwind noise reduction without the drawbacks of prior approaches to theproblem.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a noise reduction system and method formotorcycle riders that includes a helmet having one or more microphonesexternal to earmuffs used in combination with active noise cancellingtechnology. The external microphones provide the rider with the soundsof sirens, engines, horns, and the like, which otherwise would bemuffled by the active noise cancellation system, and allow the rider tocommunicate with others when stopped without having to remove thehelmet.

By way of example only, an earmuffs system for a helmet or headphonessystem includes: a first ear muff including a first speaker and a firstmicrophone therein; a second earmuff electrically coupled to the firstear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker and a secondmicrophone therein; noise cancellation circuitry disposed within thefirst ear muff, the noise cancellation circuitry receiving first soundsfrom the first microphone and the second microphone and processing thefirst sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a soundoutput that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker;and a third microphone placed external to the earmuffs of the helmet orheadphones system, the third microphone supplying second sounds for thefirst speaker or the second speaker to output without the second soundsundergoing noise cancellation processing.

By way of further example only, an earmuffs system for a helmet,headband, or headphones system includes: a first ear muff including afirst speaker and a first microphone therein; a second earmuffelectrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muffincluding a second speaker and a second microphone therein; noisecancellation circuitry disposed within the first ear muff, the noisecancellation circuitry receiving first sounds from the first microphoneand the second microphone and processing the first sounds by in partcanceling the first sounds to form a sound output that is provided fromthe first speaker and the second speaker; a third microphone placedexternal to the first earmuff, the third microphone supplying secondsounds for the first speaker to output without the second soundsundergoing noise cancellation processing; and a fourth microphone placedexternal to the second earmuff, the fourth microphone supplying thirdsounds for the second speaker to output without the third soundsundergoing noise cancellation processing.

Other benefits and advantages of the present disclosure will beappreciated from the following detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view in partial schematic form of an exemplary embodiment ofa noise reduction earmuffs system.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an earmuff and padding on a first sideof a helmet including the exemplary embodiment of a earmuffs systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an earmuff and padding on a second sideof a helmet including the exemplary embodiment of an earmuffs systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a helmet including the exemplary embodiment ofan earmuffs system shown in FIG. 1, which is equipped with acommunications system and system control board.

FIG. 4A is a first side view of an exemplary embodiment of an earmuffssystem shown in FIG. 1, embodied in a headphones system.

FIG. 4B is a second side view of an exemplary embodiment of an earmuffssystem shown in FIG. 1, embodied in a headphones system.

FIG. 5 is a view in partial schematic form of another exemplaryembodiment of a noise reduction earmuffs system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention and various alternatives are described.Those skilled in the art will recognize, given the teachings herein,that numerous alternatives and equivalents exist which do not departfrom the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention not belimited by the description set forth herein or below.

One or more specific embodiments of the system and method will bedescribed below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of thepresent disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concisedescription of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actualimplementation may not be described in the specification. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

Further, for clarity and convenience only, and without limitation, thedisclosure (including the drawings) sets forth exemplary representationsof only certain aspects of events and/or circumstances related to thisdisclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize, given the teachingsherein, additional such aspects, events and/or circumstances related tothis disclosure, e.g., additional elements of the devices described;events occurring related to earmuffs use; etc. Such aspects related tothis disclosure do not depart from the invention, and it is thereforeintended that the invention not be limited by the certain aspects setforth of the events and circumstances related to this disclosure.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary earmuffs systemsuited for wind and other noise reduction. The system includes a firstearmuff 10 and a second earmuff 20. The earmuffs 10, 20 may be adaptedto fit over the ears of a system user, or may be otherwise placed on theear. Earmuff 10 includes a speaker 30 electrically coupled via line 40to an active noise cancellation circuit board 50. Microphone 60 inearmuff 10, and microphone 70 in earmuff 20, provide a first sound inputto the circuit board 50 via lines 55, 65 respectively. The circuit board50 processes the ambient sounds received from microphones 60, 70 (i.e.,the first sound), and provides a second sound that is specificallydesigned to cancel in whole or in part the first sound. The second soundmay be 180 degrees out of phase with the first sound. The circuit board50 is electrically coupled to speaker 30 in earmuff 10 and speaker 90 inearmuff 20 via lines 40, 80 respectively.

Although reference is made herein to active noise cancellationtechnology, such technology might also be referred to as active noisecontrol or active noise reduction. Each of these approaches to noisecancellation may be used in connection with the present invention.

Power to the active noise cancellation circuit board 50 may be providedfrom battery 100. As shown, battery 100 is disposed in earmuff 20, andcircuit board 50 is disposed in earmuff 10, with a line 110 connectingthe two. However, the placement of the battery 100 and circuit board 50ultimately will depend upon the circumstances involved in a particularapplication.

An external microphone 120 may be provided that is electrically coupledto ear muffs 10, 20 via line 125. The external microphone 120 may besituated at the center, rear of the helmet 130. See FIG. 3. The externalmicrophone 120 provides sounds to the rider that would otherwise beoverly muffled by the noise cancellation system. Sounds that theexternal microphone 120 may provide include an acceptable level ofengine noise; sirens of emergency vehicles; car horns or other warningsignals; etc. The sounds provided by external microphone 120 may beprocessed by circuit board 50; however, the sounds will not be overlycancelled or reduced as a result of such processing, so that the soundsmay be heard by the rider. The earmuffs 10, 20 may be disposed within orsurrounded by the padding 135 of helmet 130. Alternately, the externalmicrophone 120 may be positioned external to the earmuffs proximate thepadding 135. The sound provided by external microphone 120 may beprovided to one or both of speakers 30, 90, with little or no noisecancellation processing so that the rider may hear the sound frommicrophone 120.

The battery 100 may be charged, by way of example only, via lines 130,140, 150 using a 12 Volt adapter 160 that plugs into the motorcycle orother vehicle. A control unit 200 may be positioned on the exterior ofthe helmet 130. The control unit 200 may include lights 210 to indicatethat one or both of the external microphone (MIC) and active noisecancellation (ANC) components are operational. The control unit 200 alsomay include a volume control 220 that may adjust upward or downward thesound heard from speakers 30, 90. The exact configuration of the controlunit 200 of course may vary depending upon the functionality provided inthe earmuffs system of the present invention. Compare, e.g., FIG. 5.

The earmuffs system of the present invention also may be used incombination with a commercially available intercom system that allowsrider to rider intercommunications. An exemplary intercom controller 230is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4A and 5, and is connected to the earmuff 10 vialine 240.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Here,the earmuffs with active noise cancellation technology are embodied in aheadphones system. The headphones system includes a frame 300 upon whichthe earmuffs may be mounted. A chin strap 310 may be used to hold theframe 300 in place so that the earmuffs are positioned over a rider'sears. On one side of the headphones system the control unit 200 and theintercom controller 230 may be positioned for ease of access by a rider.On the opposite side of the headphones system the external microphone120 may be positioned. In one embodiment, the external microphone may bepositioned, e.g., proximate a shield used to reduce wind and other noiseeffects on the microphone 120. In another embodiment, with or without ashield, the external microphone 120 may be adapted with a cover for thereduction of wind and other noises. One example of such a cover may bethe use of foam, either alone or in conjunction with the use of fur.Earmuffs may similarly be disposed in a headband system in anotherembodiment of the invention.

Another embodiment of the present invention is described in FIG. 5. Inthis embodiment, two microphones 410, 420 are connected to earmuffs 10,20, respectively. The microphones 410, 420 may be positioned external tothe earmuffs 10, 20. In another embodiment, the microphones 410, 420 maybe positioned external to a helmet. In another embodiment, themicrophones 410, 420 may be placed proximate padding disposed about theearmuffs 10, 20.

Microphone 410 may be coupled to earmuff 10 by line 430. Microphone 420may be coupled to earmuff 20 by line 440. Each of lines 430, 440 may beequipped with plugs or other connectors 450, 460 respectively whichallows the microphones 410, 420 to be removed easily if desired.

In one embodiment, the sound from microphone 410 is provided to theearmuffs wearer via speaker 30 only, and the sound from microphone 420is provided to the earmuffs wearer via speaker 90 only. Such aconfiguration may allow a user to gain a better understanding of thedirection(s) from which the sounds emanate that are picked up bymicrophones 410, 420. Alternately, one or both speakers 30, 90 mayprovide all of part of the sounds received from each of microphones 410,420. The sound provided from one or both of microphones 410, 420 may ormay not be processed using active noise cancellation circuitry.

The controller 500 may be connected to the earmuffs system of thepresent invention via line 510. The controller 500 may include one ormore buttons for controlling various functionality provided by theearmuffs system. Button 520 may turn on or off the external microphones410, 420. The button 530 may turn on or off the active noisecancellation functionality. The buttons 540 may control the volume ofthe sound received by the user via speakers 30, 90.

The button 550 may control Bluetooth functionality associated with theearmuffs system. For example, the button 550 may provide power controland activate syncing via Bluetooth between the earmuffs system and,e.g., a music device. In one embodiment, the button 550 is depressedonce. A chime sounds through the speakers 30, 90 and power is providedto the Bluetooth system electronics. The earmuffs system automaticallyenters a discoverable mode so that the system may be paired viaBluetooth with an audio device. A user selects on the audio device toconnect the audio device to the earmuffs system. A chime may soundthrough the speakers to indicate a successful connection. Once aconnection is made (i.e., once the devices are synced) any audio playedon the audio device will be transmitted to the headphones system andheard via the speakers 30, 90. Control of music is accomplished on theaudio device (e.g., pause, play, rewind, fast forward, song selection,etc.). Then, to turn off the headphones system the button 550 may bepressed and held. The system powers off and a chime may be heard toindicate shutdown.

One or more lights 560 may be positioned on controller 500 to indicatethe operational status of the various functions provided by the earmuffssystem. In one embodiment, the lights 560 may indicate whether aparticular function is on or off. In another embodiment, one or more ofthe lights may blink to indicate a particular function status.

An exemplary method in accordance with the present invention may involvethe steps of: providing to an individual a first sound output comprisinga first ambient sound that is at least partially cancelled by a secondsound that is out of phase with the first ambient sound; and a secondsound output that is provided without noise cancellation or noisereduction processing; wherein the first ambient sound is supplied by oneor more microphones disposed proximate one or more of the individual'sears in one or more over-the-ear earmuffs, and wherein the second soundoutput is supplied from a microphone positioned external to theearmuffs. In one exemplary embodiment, the first ambient sound isdetected within earmuffs of a helmet, headphones, or headband system,and the second sound output is supplied from a microphone external tothe system earmuffs. In another exemplary embodiment, an individual isprovided a helmet, headphones, or headband system that provides theindividual with a first sound output that has undergone noisecancellation processing and a second sound output that has not undergonenoise cancellation processing, wherein the first sound output issupplied by one or more microphones internal to the earmuffs of thehelmet, headphones, or headband system, and the second sound output issupplied by one or more microphones external to the earmuffs of thehelmet, headphones or headband system. Of course alternate methodsconsistent with the disclosure contained herein may be used.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modificationscan be devised by those skilled in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure, without departing from the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modificationsand variances.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be described. Ofcourse, the embodiments may be modified in form and content, and are notexhaustive, i.e., additional aspects of the disclosure, as well asadditional embodiments, will be understood and may be set forth in viewof the description herein. Further, while the invention may besusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and willbe described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that theinvention is not intended to be limited to the particular formsdisclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications,equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An earmuffs system for a helmet including: afirst ear muff including a first speaker and a first microphone therein;a second earmuff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the secondear muff including a second speaker and a second microphone therein;noise cancellation circuitry disposed within the first ear muff, thenoise cancellation circuitry receiving first sounds from the firstmicrophone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds byin part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that isprovided from the first speaker and the second speaker; a thirdmicrophone placed external to the first earmuff, the third microphonesupplying second sounds for the first speaker to output as a secondsound output without the second sounds undergoing noise cancellationprocessing; and a fourth microphone placed external to the secondearmuff, the fourth microphone supplying third sounds for the secondspeaker to output as a third sound output without the third soundsundergoing noise cancellation processing.
 2. The earmuffs system ofclaim 1 including a control unit electrically coupled to the noisecancellation circuitry for adjusting the volume of the first soundoutput or the second sound output or the third sound output.
 3. Theearmuffs system of claim 1 including a control unit electrically coupledto the first speaker and the second speaker to adjust a sound volumefrom the first speaker or the second speaker.
 4. The earmuffs system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first speaker and the secondspeaker provide the first sound output and the second sound outputsimultaneously.
 5. The earmuffs system of claim 1, wherein the firstspeaker and the second speaker are electrically coupled to arider-to-rider intercommunication system.
 6. The earmuffs system ofclaim 1, wherein the second earmuff includes a battery electricallycoupled to the noise cancellation circuitry.
 7. The earmuffs system ofclaim 6, wherein the battery is rechargeable via an adaptor for use witha twelve-volt receptacle in a vehicle.
 8. The earmuffs system of claim 1wherein the second sounds or the third sounds undergo noise cancellationprocessing.
 9. The earmuffs system of claim 1 including Bluetoothconnectivity.
 10. An earmuffs system including: a first earmuffincluding a first speaker and a first microphone therein; a secondearmuff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muffincluding a second speaker and a second microphone therein; noisecancellation circuitry for receiving first sounds from the firstmicrophone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds byin part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that isprovided from the first speaker and the second speaker; and a thirdmicrophone placed external to the first earmuff and to the secondearmuff, the third microphone supplying second sounds for one or both ofthe first speaker and the second speaker to output as a second soundoutput without the second sounds undergoing noise cancellationprocessing.
 11. The earmuffs system of claim 10, wherein the first soundoutput and the second sound output are provided simultaneously by one ormore of the first speaker and the second speaker.
 12. The earmuffssystem of claim 10 further comprising a fourth microphone placedexternal to the first earmuff and to the second earmuff, wherein thethird microphone supplies second sounds to the first speaker, and thefourth microphone supplies third sounds to the second speaker.
 13. Theearmuffs system of claim 12, wherein the second sounds and the thirdsounds do not undergo noise cancellation processing.
 14. The earmuffssystem of claim 13 embodied in a headband.
 15. The earmuffs system ofclaim 13 embodied in a helmet.
 16. The earmuffs system of claim 13embodied in a headphones system.
 17. The earmuffs system of claim 13including a control unit for adjusting the volume of sound provided bythe first speaker or the second speaker.
 18. The earmuffs system ofclaim 13 including a rider-to-rider intercommunication systemelectrically coupled to at least one of the first earmuff and the secondearmuff.
 19. The earmuffs system of claim 13 including Bluetoothconnectivity.